Mac Mathunjwa Explained

Mac Mathunjwa
Other Names:Bra Mac
Birth Date:15 July 1948
Birth Name:MacDonald Ndodana Mathunjwa
Birth Place:Johannesburg, South Africa
Death Place:Gauteng, South Africa
Nationality:South African
Height:5ft. 8in.
Years Active:1980–2021
Known For:Khululeka 1994, Ubambo Lwami 1991
Children:2
Occupation:Actor, Producer, Director, Musician

MacDonald 'Mac' Ndodana Mathunjwa (15 July 1948 – 1 June 2021), or affectionately known as Bra Mac,[1] was a South African actor, producer, director and musician.[2] He is best known for the father figure roles in the television serials and soap operas such as; Home Affairs, Generations, Soul City, Intsika, Khululeka, Bones of Bone.[3]

Personal life

Mathunjwa was born on 15 July 1948 in KwaThema in Springs, Johannesburg, South Africa.[4] After the death of both parents, he moved to Johannesburg with his late brother, Madoda Mathunjwa.[5]

His daughters, Makwande and Zanoxolo Mathunjwa are also actresses and media personalities.[6]

He started having difficulty breathing late on 29 May 2021. Then he was rushed to the doctor on 30 May, where the doctor wrote a letter for him to be transferred to the hospital. He was admitted to the Pholosong Hospital on the same day.[7] After two days, he died on 1 June 2021 from COVID-19 complications at the age of 72.[3] His memorial service was held at Kwa-Thema Old Age Home in Springs Gauteng, East of Johannesburg on 4 June 2021.[8]

Career

from 1989 to 1992 he starred alongside Menzi ngubane,Daphney hlomuka and veteran Don Eric Mlangeni amongst others in the popular Zulu drama drama series titled Ubambo Lwami, where he played the role of an antagonist terrosing the character of Mazwi which was played by Menzi Ngubane. In 2008, Mathunjwa acted in the SABC1 mini-series uGugu no Andile. The musical serial is based on the Shakespearean play Romeo and Juliet. In 2010, he joined the cast of popular soapie Generations and played the role of "Mawande's Father" for some episodes. In 2010, he played the role of "Tat'Ngcobo aka Vuzi" in the SABC1 drama series Home Affairs. The show became very popular where he continued to play the role for four seasons until 2013.[9]

In 2011, he joined the SABC1 drama serial Intsika and starred as "Tshibaphi". Later in the same year, he acted in the serial Home Sweet Home. However, his most popular role came through the SABC1 comedy series Khululeka when he played the role of "Oupa". After quitting Home Affairs, he joined the fifth season of eKasi: Our Stories and played the role of "Tata". In 2014, he played the role of "Bab' Jacob" in the eighth season of soapie Soul City.

In 2016, he joined season two of SABC1 sitcom Sgudi 'Snaysi and played the role of "Derek". In 2017, he played the supportive role of "Rev Phiri" in the SABC2 drama series Bone of My Bones. In 2019, he appeared in the 1Magic thriller serial iThemba with the role of "Tat'Mkhokheli". Apart from that, he also acted in the short film Uzozwa Ngami.[10]

As a prolific musician, he composed songs for many local groups, such as; the Soul Brothers, Amadodana Ase Wesile, Abigail Kubheka, and Mpharanyana Radebe. In humanitarian works, he was part of the process of building and strengthening the Living Legends Legacy Fraternity Trust, conducted by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. In December 2020, he attended the national summit as well.[11] He owned the film production company called "Mathunjwa Film Production".[12]

Filmography

Year Film Role Genre Ref.
2008 uGugu no Andile Bishop MbengasheFilm
2010 Generations Mawande's Father Film
2010 Home Affairs Vuzi/Tat'Ngcobo Film
2011 Home Sweet Home Maakaplan Film
2011 Intsika TshibaphiFilm
2012 Stokvel Mr. PinkFilm
2013 eKasi: Our Stories TataFilm
2014 Loxion Lyric Old Musician Film
2014 Soul City Bab' Jacob Film
2016 Sgudi 'Snaysi Derek Film
2017 Bone of My Bones Rev PhiriFilm
2019 iThemba Tat'Mkhokheli Film

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-06-04 . Mac Mathunjwa memorial service to be held on Friday in Springs . 2021-11-09 . SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader. . en-US.
  2. Web site: 2021-06-05 . Legendary TV actor Macdonald Mathunjwa described as a teacher . 2021-11-09 . SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader. . en-US.
  3. Web site: Mbendeni . Alutho . SA mourns death of legendary actor Macdonald Mathunjwa . 2021-11-09 . Drum . en-US.
  4. Web site: 2021-06-02 . Minister Mthethwa touched by passing of legendary actor Macdonald Mathunjwa . 2021-11-09 . SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader. . en-US.
  5. Web site: 2021-06-04 . Remembering MacDonald Mathunjwa . 2021-11-09 . African Reporter . en-US.
  6. Web site: Covid-19 claims life of legendary actor . 2021-11-09 . www.iol.co.za . en.
  7. Web site: MacDonald Mathunjwa's daughter details his last days . 2021-11-09 . TimesLIVE . en-ZA.
  8. Web site: Veteran actor MacDonald Mathunjwa to be honoured with memorial service today . 2021-11-09 . HeraldLIVE . en-ZA.
  9. Web site: Mac Mathunjwa: TVSA . 2021-11-09 . www.tvsa.co.za.
  10. Web site: MEC Mbali Hlophe on passing of actor MacDonald Ndodana Mathunjwa: South African Government . 2021-11-09 . www.gov.za.
  11. Web site: MacDonald Ndodana Mathunjwa paid tribute for contribution to arts sector . 2021-11-09 . Devdiscourse . en.
  12. Web site: MacDonald Ndodana Mathunjwa died of Covid-19 related complications . 2021-11-09 . DispatchLIVE . en-ZA.